Lighter



Oct. 24, 1933.

SSPISELMAN EIAL 1,932,193

LIGHTER Filed April 9, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG .4.

6 lwmxm Oct. 24, 1933. s. SPISELMAN ET AL LIGHTER Filed April 9,

1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.|S.

-IS3 L56 Patented Oct. 24, 1933 UNITED STATES LIGHTER Solomon Spiselman and Joseph W. Spiselman,

' Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application April 9, 1930. Serial No. 442,922

5 Claims.

larly to automatic cigarette lighters.

An object of the invention is to provide a lighter which capable of autotmatically igniting a cigarette and discharging the same in a lighted condition.

A further object is to provide a lighter which simultaneously applies heat and suction to a cigarette, whereby the cigarette is lighted entirely automatically. 7

A still furtherobject is to provide a lighter of the above type which is capable of attachment to the dash board of an automobile and which may be operated from the suction line of the automobile engine. y

A further object is to provide a lighter having a removable tip so that the tip may be heated and then passed to a person located. at a distance from the device itself. I

Another object is to provide an automatic cig arette lighter in which the path of the air which is drawn therethrough is reduced to a minimum length.

A still further object is to provide an automatic lighter in which the airfor ignition is not passed through the entire length of the cigarette.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cheap, simple, dependable and convenient device of the type above indicated.

' The above objects, and others which will be apparent the nature of the invention is disclosed, are accomplished by providing a lighter having a suction chamber which is connected with the intake manifold or suction line of an auto- ."inobile engine and which is capable of applying suction to tip of the cigarette simultaneously with the application of thereto. The device is so arranged that the air for ignition does not pass through the entire ci arette but only enters at the tip adjacent the heating device.

The suction is applied centrally of the cigarette at a point within the tobacco contained therein and the air is drawn through the end to be ignited in a substantially radial direction past the cigarette wall and is caused to enter the suction memher. The amount of power required to produce the suction is accordingly reduced to a minimum and the cigarette or other article may be positively ignited regardless of its length, the density of tobacco or other conditions.

This invention relates to lighters and particu- The device is also useful for lighting a cigar or pipe but is described as applied to a cigarette by way of illustration only- It is particularly useful in lighting a cigar in which the tobacco is tightly packed and a strong suction would be required to force the air through the entire cigar. The invention accordingly permitsthe cigar to be lighted regardless of the compactness of the tobacco or regardless of whether or not the end to be inserted in the mouth has been broken to provide an air passage.

The device is provided with a removable ignition tip which may be heated and then removed from the remainder of the mechanism and passed to a person located at a distance. The device is accordingly particularly applicable to automobile use where the driver may obtain a cigarette in lighted condition without removing his eyes from the road or requiring the use of his hands in igniting the same and the device may be passed to other occupants of the car for use in the usual manner. Removal of. tip also allows internal cleaning.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lighter constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a cigarette applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View, partly broken away of the igniter shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; r

. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of igniter;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; r

1 Figs. 7, 8 and 9, illustrate modified forms of tips which may be used with the igniter;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the ignition device showing a cigarette hopper associated therewith;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view of the cigarette ejector;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of a modified form of suction valve;

Fig. 14 is a detail view of a modified form of electrical connection to the igniter; and

Fig. 15 is a detail view of a further modified form of tip.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings more in detail and particularly to Fig. 1, the invention is shown as comprising a base 20 having a longitudinally extending, circumferential flange 21 formed thereon. Said base is provided with a bore 22 terminating in a port 23 through which the suction is applied. A pipe 24 may be secured in bore 22 in any convenient manner and may be connected to the suction line of the automobile, as for example, to the vacuum tank, to the intake manifold or to the line leading to the windshield wiper. A suitable clamp 25 is secured to base 20 and is adapted to permit the device to be removably attached to a fixed portion of the car such as the dash 26. Set screw 2'7 is inserted in clamp 25 to permit the necessary adjustment to be made, and can act as a terminal for a ground wire, when such is needed.

A casing 28 is seated within flange 21 of base 20 and encloses the operating elements of the igniter. A cap 29 is removably attached to the end of casing 28 and supports the suction and heating device to be described. A bell crank lever having arms 31 and 32 is provided with a hub member 33, carried on shaft 34, which is seated in casing 28 This shaft is provided with an operating lever 35 which is secured thereto in any convenient manner or formed integrally therewith.

Arm 31 carries valve member 36 which is adapted to seat in port 23. Arm 32 co-operates with a spring 3'7 which normally holds the valve in seated position. Said spring is secured to bolt 38 which passes through insulated bushing 39 in casing 28 and is electrically connected to a cable 40 which leads to a suitable source of current. Spring 37 is also secured to bolt 41 which extends through arm 32 and is insulated therefrom by insulating washers 42. A contact strip 43 is carried by bolt 41 in electrical contact therewith. Spring 37 serves to normally hold the suction valve in closed position and to interrupt the current supply to the heater to be described.

For assisting the spring in carrying the comparatively heavy current which is required, a flexible conductor 44 such as copper braid is disposed around spring 37 and interconnects bolts 41 and 38. Suction pipe 50 having an enlarged tapered end 51 and an aperture 51a at its extreme end is passed through insulating bushing 52 carried by cap 29. Said pipe contacts with contact strip 43 and extends axially of the cap 29 to the heating unit 53. End 51 extends only a slight distance in advance of the heating unit 53, but is formed sufllciently long to enter the tobacco of the cigarette and to cause a positive air current to be drawn therethrough.

The heating unit, or coil 53 is disposed about the enlarged end 51 of suction pipe 50 and is electrically connected thereto. One end of this coil is passed through cap 29 and may be electrically connected to said cap to form the return circuit. Said coil is carried on a heat insulating member, such as disc 54 which is supported on an insulating disc 55 forming a part of bushing 52. The entire mechanism may be secured by nut 56 which is carried on rod 50 and clamps the various elements to cap 29. A shield 56 of heat insulating material, such as phenol condensation product encloses cap 29, serves as a support for the entire mechanism and provides means by which it may be readily transported and handled. This shield has a flared end in which the cigarette or other object to be lighted can be readily inserted.

In the operation of the igniter above described, the suction line is normally closed by valve 36 and the electrical connection to the heating coil is broken by contact strip 43. The bell crank 1cver is held in the proper position to accomplish this by means of spring 37. When it is desired to light a cigarette, lever 35 is depressed, thereby rotating the bell crank lever, releasing valve 36 whereby suction is applied to the interior of casing 28 and making electrical contact between contact strip 43 and pipe 50. The suction is applied through pipe 50 and tip 51 to the end of the cigarette whereas the electrical connection extends through pipe 50 to the heatin unit.

When the cigarette is firmly pressed over tip 51 against the heating unit, a quantity of air is drawn in through the heating unit around the wall of the cigarette as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. At the same time, sufiicient heat is applied for igniting the tip. It is to be noted that the air for ignition is not passed through the entire length of the cigarette but only passes through a small amount of the tobacco located adjacent to the igniter.

If it is not desired to automatically light the cigarette, the apparatus may be operated in the manner above described by depressing lever 35 and applying current to heating unit 53. The tip including cap 29 and shield 56 may then be slidably removed from casing 28 and used for igniting a cigarette by a person who is located at a distance from the device itself.

Referring to the form of invention shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the lighter is shown as comprising a base member 60 having an inlet port 61 in which a supply pipe 62 is secured. Bolt 63 is extended through insulating bushing 64 carried in member 60 and is electrically connected to a current supply cable 65.

Casing 66 is seated in flange 67 of base 60 and carries cap 68. A second cap 69 is secured to a tube 70 which is rotatably mounted in 6S. Said tube is secured in position in cap 69 by means of nut '71 which is threaded thereon in engagement with said cap. Rod '72 is extended through insulating bushings '73 and '74 which are mounted in tube 70. The end of rod 72 is angularly bent to form a contacting arm 7'? which is adapted to contact with bolt 63. Rod 72 is provided with a split end 78 which makes elccbetween arm77 and bolt 63..

curesrod 72 in such position that arm. 77 remains out of contact with bolt 63. i

Ports 80 and 81 are formed in caps 68 and 69 1 respectively and'a're normally out of register.

They are so positioned, however, that when cap 69 is rotated to cause arm 77 to contact with bolt 63, the two ports are brought into register whereby suction may be applied to the suction pipe 75. A second casing 82 is seated in cap 69 and carries a cap 83 which is slidably secured thereto by key 84 cooperating with a suitable groove in said cap. Cap 83 also carries shield 85 of heat insulating material such as phenol condensation product which is secured thereto in any convenient manner and is provided with aflared end in which a cigarette or other object to be ignited may be inserted. Said shield is pro vided with a hand knob 86 by which the position thereof may be varied.

Suction pipe 75 extends through insulating bushing "87 carried in cap 83 and is provided with a flared tip 88 similar to tip 51 described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. Heating unit 89 is secured to this tip and is electrically connected thereto and to cap 83. A disc 90 of heat insulat- .ing material such as mica and a disc 91of electrical insulating material are inserted between heating unit 89 and cap 83.

This construction is similar to that described in connection with Fi 1.

In the :operation of the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 4 to 6, thesuction line is normally closed by ports 80 and 81 being out of register andvthe electrical connection .is open v When. a cigarette is to be lighted, however; the cap is rotated by pressing the hand against hand knob 86 of shield 85, thereby causing rotary movement of casing '82 and cap 69and bringing ports'80, and 81 into register and arm 77into contact with'bolt 63. The electrical circuit is thus completed through bolt 63, arm 77, rod 72, pipe 75 and heating unit '39. At the same time suction is applied through pipe 62 to base 60, ports 80 and 81, casing 82-and throughvpipe 75 to the end of the cigarette. The

"air will'be drawn into the end of the cigarette and ignition will take place in the manner set forth in connection with Fig. 1.

In the modified form of tipdrawn in. Fig. 7, suction pipe 93 is shown as mounted in cap 94 through insulating bushing 95 in the manner pointed out in connection with pipe 75 of Fig. 4,

and pipe 50 of Fig. 1. A heating coil.96 is located over a mica washer 97 and is held against the face of cap 94 and electrically connected to j pipe 93. In this form of the invention, the tip ofpipe 93 is flush with the mica insulator 97 but does not extend into the tip of the cigarette. The

air will accordingly'be drawn to the cigarette 'through the convolutions of the heating coil '96 and the extreme end of the cigarette will be ignited.

' In the form of invention shown in Fig. '8, the

suction pipe 99 is shown as provided with a square end 100 having an aperture 101 therein. The various. other elements are similar to those shown in Fig. 7 and are given corresponding reference numerals. In this form of invention, 1e end of the suction pipe is adapted to rest against the end of the cigarette, and applies suction directly thereto as the same is being ignited.

Since air currents do not travel in sharp angles, the air current will pass through a small portion of the cigarette adjacent to the end 100 to enter aperture 101,

, the cigarette.

thus igniting that end of the cigarette.

A further modified form of the invention is shown in Fig. 9, in which suction pipe 102 having a tapered end 103, is extended through an insulating member in the cap 94 in the manner as described in connection with Fig. 7. In this form or invention, it is to be noted that heating coil 96 is supported by an insulating member 104 from which it is separated by disc 105 of heat. "insulating material.

Said member 104 is provided with a shoulder 106 by which it is separated from the end of cap 94. Member 104 may also I have apertures 107 to permit air for cooling purposes to be circulated therethrough. In this form I of the invention, the air for igniting the cigarette is drawn around the end 'of the cigarette into pipe 103 in the manner previously described and cooling air for'the heating unit'is passed through apertures 107 and circulates between member 104 and cap 94. This prevents the end of the cap from becoming unduly heated by the heat developed in coil 96. It is to'be noted that apertures 107 permit a natural circulation of air around the heating unit and betweenmember 104 and cap 94, thereby preventing transfer of heat between the heating unit and the cap regardless of the suction which may beapplied to pipe 102.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, the invention is shown as applied to a lighter coupled with a cigarette hopper 110 which is mounted adjacent thereto in such a position that the cigarettes are automatically applied to the igniter casing. The hopper is secured to the dashboard 26 of the automobile in any convenient manner and is provided with a tapered end for properly directing A wheel 111 carrying a slot 112 therein, of the proper size to receive a cigarette, is mountedon hopper 110 and is provided for with a gear 113 co-operating with rack 114 carried on a suitable rod 115. Said rod is provided with a handle 116 and is normally held in extended position by spring 117. Lever 118, which extends to the igniting device and corresponds to lever 35 shown in Fig. 2, co-operates With a lug 119 carried on -rod'115. whereby said lever is depressed when rod -is actuated. A receiver 120 for the cigarette is carried below hopper 110 in axial alignment therewith. Said receiver is provided with a flange 121 which is internally threaded to receive a cap 122 of an igniter constructed in the manner previously described.

In the operation of this form of invention, when rod 115 is depressed, cylinder 111 is rotated, thereby discharging a cigarette into receiver 120. At the same time, lever 118 is actuated thereby applying suction to the suction pipe of the igniter and making electrical connection to. the heating coil. The suction serves to draw the cigarette tightly against the heating coil and at the same against seat 134. Lever 137 is provided with a lug 139 which contacts with valve 134. Said lever is pivoted in any convenient manner, as by pivot 138, and operates similarly to arm 31 of Fig. 1 for controlling the suction valve. Lever 137 causes valve 135 to be removed from seat 134 against the spring 138 and thereby permits the suction to be applied through bore 132 to the interior of the device.

Referring now to Fig. 14, a modified form of electrical connection to lever 32 is shown in which a spring 140 is mounted between said lever and casing 28, normally holding the lever in raised position. This spring, however, does not carry the electric current. For this purpose, a flexible wire or other connector 141 is used which interconnects screw 41 and screw 38 in the manner described in connection with flexible member 44 in Fig. 1. In this form of device the electrical current is not passed through the spring and a more heavy electrical conductor may be employed. The entire operation is accordingly carried on more efficiently.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 15, cap 150 carries a heating coil 152 which is insulated therefrom by mica washer 151. Said cap is provided with a nozzle 153 which is adapted to contact with the cigarette. An electrical connection is made to the coil by bar 154 which is positinned to contact with contact strip 43. Said bar is held in cap 150 by bolt 155 which is passed through an insulating bushing 156. Said bolt makes electrical contact with one end of heating coil 152. The various other elements are similar to those described in connection with Fig. 1 and are given similar reference numerals.

In this form of tip the suction pipe is omitted and the nozzle is formed directly in the cap member itself.

It is to be noted that in the above described lighter the air valve is normally closed and the suction helps the spring in making the air valve to fit tightly. Furthermore, the electrical connections are simple and may be so arranged that ample current carrying capacity can be provided. The suction is normally sufficiently strong to hold the cigarette against the heating coil. If not, it is obvious that the cigarette can be pressed against the coil by the finger. This can be accomplished by the driver of an automobile without diverting his attention away from the operation of the car. The lighter also provides for the lighting of cigarettes without holding the end in the mouth. This is advantageous where the cigarette is to be lighted and then passed to a second person..

The device enables the driver to light a cigarette while driving through heavy traflic and without changing his direction of vision. Furthermore, the device is simple to operate and only requires two or three fingers of one hand. Any number of cigarettes can be quickly lit by one person and passed around inasmuch as the end placed in the mouth remains dry. The lighter itself may be passed around, however, by heating and removing the cap, with its glowins element.

By so applying the suction to the tip of the cigarette that the length of the air path is reduced, the efficiency of the device is increased. It is to be noted that the air does not pass the entire length of the cigarette and only enters radially at the end being ignited between the center and the wall of the cigarette itself. The device may be readily applied to the dash board of a car and the suction line may be tapped at a convenient place. It is obvious that when the car is stopped and no suction is available.

the tip of, the lighter can be removed and the cigarette lighted in the normal way.

While the above description refers to cigarettes, it is obvious that the invention also applies to the lighting of other similar articles such as a pipe or cigar.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an ignition device, a casing, means for applying suction thereto, a cap detachably mounted on said casing, a heating coil carried by said cap, a suction pipe extending through said cap and electrically insulated therefrom, said pipe being electrically connected to said heating coil and terminating adiacent the plane thereof, and means for simultaneously applying suction to said pipe and making an electrical connection therewith.

2. In an ignition device, a suction chamber, a cap mounted thereon and carrying a heating coil, a suction port extending through said cap, means for simultaneously applying suction to said port and heating current to said coil, said cap being removable from said casing whereby the heat of said heating coil may be utilized at a distance.

3. In a cigarette lighter, the combination of a casing, an electrical heating coil for receiving in full contact therewith the end of a cigarette to be lighted, a support mounted on said casing for carrying the coil, said support being removable from the casing so that the coil may be used at a distance therefrom, a suction pipe mounted in association with said coil and extending beyond the plane of the free surface of said coil so as to slightly enter the end of the cigarette engaging said coil, the size of the suction pipe and the length of its entrance into the cigarette being insufficient to break the paper wrapping thereof, means for creating a suction in said pipe, said electrical coil being twisted and mounted on the surface of said support and extending therefrom and having spaces between its twisted parts to allow air to flow therebetween and be drawn up into the cigarette and thence into the suction pipe causing the tobacco of the cigarette to burn when in contact with said coil after the latter is sufficiently heated.

4. In a cigarette lighter, the combination of a casing, an electrical heating coil for receiving in full contact therewith the end of a cigarette to be lighted, a support mounted on said casing for carrying the coil, said support being removable from the casing so that the coil may be used at a distance therefrom, a suction pipe mounted in association with said coil and extending beyond the plane of the free surface of said coil so as to slightly enter the end of the cigarette engaging said coil, the size of the suction pipe and the length of its entrance into the cigarette being insuificient to break the paper wrapping thereof, means for creating a suction in said pipe, said electrical coil being twisted and mounted on the surface of said support and extending therefrom and having spaces between its twisted parts to allow air to flow therebetween and be drawn up into the cigarette and thence into the suction pipe, causing the tobacco tion to said port and heating current to said coil and means whereby said cap may be removed from said suction means for utilizing the heat of said heating coil at a distance.

SOLOMON SPISELMAN. JOSEPH W. SPISELMAN. 

